Ventilating apparatus.



PATENTED AUG. 11, 1903.

J. S. ROAKE. VENTILATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION IILED JULY 15, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Patented August 11, 1903.

OFFICE.

VENTILATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 735,823, dated August 1 1, 1903. Application filed July 15. 1902. Serial Ila-115,625. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. ROAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvemeans for supplying fresh outside air freed from dust and other extraneous matter to the interior of the railway-car or analogous vehicle and for removing the vitiated air without producing objectionable drafts, such as are caused by open windows and the usual ventilator-opeuings.

By the use of my invention a liberal supply of fresh air is forced into the car and distributed uniformly in the forward upper por tion thereof, while the vitiated air, is drawn out from the upper rear portion. The fresh cool air tends to descend by gravity and passes toward the rear, becoming gradually warmed and impure during the traverse until it reaches the rear end, where it ascends and is drawn out. The action is the same for both the forward and rearward movement of the car and continues automatically so long as-the car is in motion in either direction.

I employ a peculiarly-formed casing carried upon the roof of the car at about the mid-length, having its open ends facing forward and rearward, so that the movement of the car causes a current of air to traverse the casing. A portion of the current isintercepted and delivered through aduct entering the car and extending longitudinally of the forward portion thereof and provided with suitable openings for the escape ofair. A similar duct similarly disposed in the rear portion of the car enters the casing and is so acted upon by the air-current in the latter as to induce a partialvacuum at the exit end, which is felt throughout the duct and serves to draw in the air adjacent thereto and eject it through the casing Means are provided for excluding cinders, dust, rain, or snow The apparatus for both ends of the car are alike or counterparts, and the action is maintained by the movement of the car in either direction without requiring any change or attention.

The invention consists in certain novel features and arrangements of parts and in certain details of construction to be hereinafter described. V

The accompanyingrdrawings form a part of this specification and show the invention as I have carried it out.

Figure 1 is a transverse section through the upper part of a car equipped with my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a corresponding side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a plan view, of

the apparatus on one side of the car, a portion of the latter being shown in horizontal section. Fig. 4 is a'horizontal section, partly in plan view on a larger scale, and Fig. 5 is .a corresponding elevation, partly in vertical section, of a portion as seen from theinterior of the car. Fig. 6 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, showing the automatic reliefvalve; and Fig. 7 is a corresponding sectional elevation, the plane of section being indicated by the line 7 7 in the preceding figure.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A indicates the body of-a car, and A the usual'raised central portion of theroof.

B is a hollow shell or casing tapered in both directions from the center line, havin'gthe ends open and each provided with a flaring mouth B,'having a reversed outwardly-curving flange B The casing is located at about the mid-length of the car in the angle formed by the junction of the raised portion A with the roof and is supported on the latter by feet B B The casing is for convenience in making formed in two halves bolted together, as shown, each half being provided with a foot B and also with a small opening I? in the lower face through which any water entering the casing may escape. I prefer to employ two casings on each car and two complete sets of the apparatus, one on each side, as shown in Fig. 1; but as both are alike adescription of one will suflice.

B B are laterally-extendingtubular arms, one on each half of the casing, each provided with a flange B adapted to apply against the adjacent wall of the roof portion A and inclosing a pipe 0', forming part of the ventilating-duct, and having an elbow C reaching to the center ofv the casing with its open end on the axial line thereof. The elbows face outwardly oppositely to each other, as shown in Fig. 4.

O C are the ventilating-d ucts extending longitudinally of the car in both directions from the points Where they enter from the casing nearly the full length and are provided at intervals on the upper faces with flaring thimbles C communicating between the interior of the ducts and the interior of the car. The ducts are located, preferably, as high as practicable in the car. Each duct is connected to its pipe 0' by an elbow 0, having a flange C lying against the vertical wall of the roof A, which is cut away to receive the end of the elbow, the latter being joined to the flange B by bolts C extending through both flanges and the wall and securing all firmly together and also bracing the casing B. The pipe 0 is secured by the same connection, its flange C being clamped between the flange B and elbow 0 as shown. Each duct 0 is equipped at the opposite end with an outwardly-opening automatic valve 0 and a downwardlyprojecting valve-casing C therefor, terminating in a curved outlet-pipe (J opening exteriorly of the car. The valve 0 is shown as a swing-valve hinged above and tending to lie by gravity with gentle pressure against its slightly-inclined or angular seat 0 but free to open by any excess of pressure within the duct. A screw C tapped through the valvecasing C serves adjustably to limit the extent of opening.

M is a damper or butterfly-valve located in each duct 0 near the elbow C and serves to control the flow through the duct.

Each open mouth of the casing B projects into and is encircled by an annular skirt D of a.concentrically-arranged conical casing D, supported by the bosses B on the flange If and secured by bolts or studs B extending through longitudinal slots (1 in the skirt, by which it is held in position and may be set nearer to or farther from the flange 15' to adjust the area of the annular space I) between these parts. Inclosed in each conical casing is a double cone E, mounted axially thereof by means of the bolts E or otherwise, with its inner end or apex projecting Within the flaring mouth of the casing B. The outer end lies just within the flared open end of the casing D and is provided with a series of spiral wings or vanes E reaching to the incurrent. The arrangement of the casing B, conical casing D, and the pipes C are such at each end as to serve either as an inspirator or as an aspirator, according as such end is presented in the direction of the motion or in the opposite direction.

Assuming the car to be moving in the direction from left to right in Fig. 4, air is reeeived by the flared open end of the casing D and directed inward to the cone E. The latter deflects it annularly outward and by reason of the pitch of the "anes E induces a rapid rotatory motion. The current is then deflected inwardly by the mouth of the easing B and the inner end of the cone E. The sudden change in direction,aided by the centrifugal action, tends to force outwardly any heavy matter carried by the air-current and ..pacity of the openings 0 lifts the automatic valve 0 and passes to the exterior of the car,

carrying with it any dust, water of condensation, or other heavy matter accumulated in the duct or not eliminated at the entrance tothe casing B. The volume of air allowed to enter the duct may be controlled by the butterfly-valve or damper M as required to suit the conditions of temperature, speed of train, and direction and velocity of the wind. The portion of the air-current-traversingthe casing B and not diverted to supply fresh air to the car passes onward and by its escape past the slight constriction immediately beyond the second elbow 0 creates a partial vacuum at the mouth of the elbow, and thus induces an outwardly-flowing current of air received through the second duct from the rear end of the car. The automatic valve at this end of the apparatus is held closed by gravity and the external pressure and prevents the entrance of air at this point. Thus conditioned a constant current of fresh air is sent into the car by that end of the casing acting as an inspirator, and a similar current of air which has traversed the carfrom front to rear and become vitiated is drawn out by the action at the aspirator end of the casing. It will be observed that the construction and arrangement is the same at both ends, the injecting and ejecting actions being determined by the direction of the aircurrent through the casin The cool fresh air delivered through the many openings C is distributed uniformly in the forward upper portion of the car. It descends by gravity, mingling with the air in the car and becoming gradually warmed thereby, and is drawn toward the rear portion of the car by the lower pressure at that end due to the ed uce tioncurrent, aided by the general tendency of the air from front to rear due to the car ing through tunnels or other situations in which it is desirable to exclude temporarily the external air.

Snow and rain are not likely to enter the ducts; but in case small quantities should pass the eliminator E at the entrance to the casing B and are received therein the resulting water will lie in the lower portion of the ducts and be driven out past the relief-valves at their first opening. The relief-valves remain closed during periods when the car is not in motion and prevent the entrance of moisture.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions of the several parts of the apparatus, and portions may be used without the whole.

I have shown the car as provided with two sets of apparatus, one on each side; but one alone may serve, and it may be centrally or otherwise located.

The openings in the ducts C may be simple holes without thimbles or deflectors.

Although I have described the invention as applied to a railway-car, it will be understood that it will serve in ventilating other moving structures.

I claim 1. A casing mounted upon and exteriorly of a car and arranged to be traversed by a current of air induced by the movement of the car, a duct at each end of said casing and extending within said car, cones mounted axially of said casing, one at each end thereof, in combination with means at each end of said casing adapted to deliver air through its duct to said car or to draw air through its duct from said car according to the direction of motion of said car, and means located in said casing adapted to cause a sudden change in direction of the incoming air-current whereby heavy matter carried in such current is deflected from the entrance to the duct leading said current to said car.

2. A casing mounted upon and exteriorly of a car and arranged to be traversed bya current of air induced by the movement of the car, a duct at each end of said casing extending to the forward and rearward portions respectively of the interior of said car, cones mounted axially of said casing, one at each end thereof, in combination with means at one end of said casing adapted to deliver air from said casing through its duct to the forward portion of said car, and means at the opposite end of said casing for drawing air through a car, the said means and ducts arranged either to deliver or draw according to the direction of motion of said car, and meanslocated in 831d casing adapted to cause a sudden change in direction of the incoming air-current whereby heavy matter carried in such current is deflected from the entrance to the duct leading said current to said car.

3. Acasing mounted upon and exteriorly of a car and arranged to be traversed by a current of air induced by the movement of the car, a duct extending from said casing into said car and adapted to receive air from saidcurrent and deliver it within said car, cones mounted axially of said casing, one at each end thereof, an inclosing casing for each of said cones and an automatic valve in said duct arranged to open to the exterior of said car and allow excess of pressure in said duct to escape.

4. Acasing mounted upon and exteriorly of a car and arranged to be traversed by a current of air induced by the movement of the car, a duct at each end of said casing leading to the interior of said car, each having a series of outlet-orifices, means at one end of said casing adapted to deliver air from said casing through its duct to the forwardportion of said car, cones mounted axially of said casing, one at each end thereof, an inclosing casing for each of said cones and means at the opposite end of said casing for drawing air through its duct from the rearward portion of said car, the said means and ducts arranged to deliver or draw according to the direction of movement of the car, and a relief-valve for each of said ducts adapted automatically to open to the exterior of said car and allow excess of pressure in said ducts to escape and automatically to close when said pressure is relieved.

5. A casing mounted upon and exteriorly of a car and arranged to be traversed by a current of air induced by the movement of the car, a duct at each end of said casing leading to the interior of said car, conesmounted axially of said casing, one at each end thereof, means at one end of said'casing adapted to deliver air through its duct to the forward end of said car, means at the opposite end of said casing for drawing air through its duct j its duct from the rearward portion ofl saidv v through said ducts, and means located in said casing adapted to cause a suddden change in direction of the incoming air-current whereby heavy matter carried in such current is deflected from the entrance to the duct leading said current to said car.

6. A casing mounted upon and exteriorly of a car and arranged to be traversed by a cur rent of air induced by the movement of the car, a duct at each end of said casing leading to the interior of said car, cones mounted axially of said casing, one at each end thereof, means at one end of said casing adapted to deliverair throughits duct tothe forward end ing for each of said cones, said inclosing of said car, means at the opposite end of said casing for drawing air through its duct from the rear portion of said car, means for adj'ustably controlling the flow of air through said ducts, and a relief-valve for each of said ducts adapted automatically to open to the exterior of said car and allow excess of pressure to escape and automatically to close when said pressure is relieved.

7. In a car-ventilating apparatus, a casing adapted to be traversed by an air-current induced by the movementof the car, and a duct arranged to receive a portion of said current and deliver it to the interior of said car, cones mounted axially of said casing, one at each end thereof, in combination with a valve-casing on the delivery end of said duct and connections from said valve-casing to the exterior of the car, and with a swinging valve and an inclined seat therefor, whereby the said valve is held lightly to its seat by gravity and free to open automatically to relieve slight excesses of pressure in said duct.

8. In a car-ventilating apparatus, the casing B carried on the car and having open flared ends B, a flange B on each of said ends, cones E E mounted axially of said casing one at each of said ends, an inclosing cascasings having each a skirt encircling the said flange adjacent thereto and having the annular opening I) between them, a duct ateach end of said casing B leading to the interior of said car, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified. v 9. In a car-ventilating apparatus, the easing 13 carried on the car and having'open flared ends B, a flange B on each of said ends, cones E E mounted axially of said casing one at each of said ends, an inclosing casing for each of said cones, said inclosing casings having each a skirt encircling the said flange adjacent thereto and having the annular opening 12' between them, a duct at each end of said casing B leading to the interior of said car, and a series of spirally-arranged vanes E on each of said cones, all

combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. ROAKE.

Witnesses:

CHARLES R. SEARLE, CHARLES LEE MEYERS. 

